Far in the Heavens

Product Description Far In The Heavens comprises recently composed and previously unrecorded works by Stephen Paulus, including two works that were commissioned and premiered by True Concord Voices & Orchestra: The Incomprehensible for their fifth anniversary season in 2009, and in 2011 Prayers and Remembrances for the tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 tragedy. GRAMMY-award winner Peter Rutenberg of Los Angeles produced the album, and Mr. Paulus supervised the recording in Tucson, Arizona. Tragically, Stephen Paulus suffered a major stroke just six weeks after recording the album. He never recovered, and passed away in October 2014 after being in a coma for more than a year. Review "This recording will appeal to many, as Paulus' music is undeniably beautiful and pleasing; but it also important because it serves to introduce lesser known music, including a new masterwork, of an influential 21st century American voice." --Adam Luebke, Operatoday.com, September 2015 Classics Today: Artistic Quality: 9/Sound Quality: 9 "Rather than focusing on the actual 9/11 events, Paulus wisely sought in this work to honor the victims while addressing the universal experience of those grieving and healing from loss of loved ones-in his words, "a work that would be spiritual but not necessarily religious..." "...The opening measures of I Have Called You By Name (text from Isaiah 43), are certainly among the more beautiful and moving of any modern a cappella choral piece-and there are many more moments of sumptuous and striking harmony and sheer command of expressive effects throughout this dramatic and substantial (7-minutes) little masterpiece..." "...If there is a more perfect evocation of text, more ideally sung, than Paulus' setting of the Elinor Wylie poem "Little Elegy", I haven't heard it; out of the whole program, this little piece will certainly be the one to prompt numerous returns to the replay button..." "...True Concord Voices and its conductor Eric Holtan truly had a special relationship with Stephen Paulus and his music (the group commissioned both Prayers and Remembrances and The Incomprehensible), and one couldn't ask for more authoritative, caring, or musically refined advocates. Anyone wishing to get to know-or to know better-this very fine and sorely missed composer should be sure not to miss this." --David Vernier, Classicstoday.com,